Free body dispensers



MMEH A. LUDWIG 3174,47

FREE BODY DISPENSERS Filed April 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 MWENTQR DONALD A. mmwa arch 23, 1965 D. A. LUDWIG 3,E?%,4?

FREE BODY DISPENSERS Filed April 9, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOEZ.

DONALD A. LUDWIG Hi5 ATTORNEY March 23, 1965 D. A. LUDWKG ,RMfifi FREE BODY DISPENSERS Filed April 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Maw IN VEN TOR.

Byjam W Mv ATTORNEY United States Pate 3,174,647 FREE BODY DISPENSERS Donald A. Ludwig, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Morris Nisan, Dayton, Ohio Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 185,966 16 Claims. (Cl. 22252) This invention relates to dispensers and more particularly to improvements in free body dispensers. A preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous for use in an automatic washer and will be so described. However, it should be apparent that neither its form nor the area of its application is so limited. Such is not intended.

Free body dispensers are of recent origin. One of their primary advantages is that they can be conditioned to respond functionally to changes in their physical environment without the necessity of a complex control circuit. They are particularly advantageous, for example, to automatically dispense cleansing, bleach and softening agents in automatic washers. Their potential in this area is established. However, there remains an essential need for their simplification, for purposes of economy and to render them more versatile in application.

The present invention provides substantial improvement in free body dispensers. It reduces their structural components to a minimum and enables maximum efficieucy in their operation.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in free body dispensers rendering them economical to fabricate, more efiicient and satisfactory in use and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dispenser conditioned to respond functionally to physical changes in its environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved free body dispenser particularly adapted for use in automatic washers.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus for automatically introducing chemicals into a body of fluid.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel free body dispenser for use in fluid mediums the function of which is dependent on the physical movement of the fluid thereabout.

Another object of the invention to provide an improved free body type dispenser which is conditioned to discharge under the influence of a fluid medium thereabout and particularly adapted for use in automatic washers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a buoyant free body dispenser for use in fluid mediums which is so constructed to operate only on predetermined orientation thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel dispenser possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view which will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modification of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention sectioned similarly to FIG. 3.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The invention can be best described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 provides a shell 1 formed of mating sections 2 and 3, preferably of plastic, which, when superposed, form an egg-shaped cavity. The mating ends of the sections 2 and 3 are stepped to telescope and suitably fixed to clamp a seal 4 therebetween.

The upper section 2 has a generally hemispherical configuration. A tube 5, concentric with the major axis of the shell 1, is formed integral with and defines a central opening in the section 2. One end 6 of the tube 5 relatively projects to be threadedly engaged by a cap 7 having a small central aperture 8. The other end 9 of the tube 5, the interior of which is conically reduced, terminates short of the shell section 3.

The inner surface of the shell section 3 is stepped intermediate of its vertical extremities to provide relatively adjacent, concentric shoulders 9 and 10. The shoulders 9 and 10 lie in planes perpendicular to the major axis of the shell 1. A cylindrical wall section 11 defined at the interior surface of the section 3 between the shoulders 9 and 10 is threadedly engaged by a disc 12. The disc 12 forms a partition which bridges the interior of the section 3 in a plane generally perpendicular to the major axis of the shell 1. Disc 12 thereby forms a chamber 13 to its bottom and, together with the upper portion of section 3 and the section 2, a chamber 14 to its top.

Seated in the bottom of the section 3, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, is a weight 15 having a central aperture coincident with the major axis of the shell 1. This central aperture accommodates a tubular projection 16 formed integral with the section 3. The projection 16 defines a passage 17 leading from the chamber 13 through the bottom of the shell 1. The innermost end of projection 16 is externally reduced to provide a shoulder seating the inner peripheral portion of a disc 18 which overlies the weight 15. The disc 18 is comically dished and its outer peripheral portion seats on and is suitably fixed to a shoulder 19 on the inner wall of the section 3. The disc 18 is dished to provide a ready drain of chamber 13 to the passage 17 in a manner believed obvious.

Right angled grooves 20 in the exterior surface of the section 3, at its bottom, have their intersection defined by the passage 17. The base of each groove 20 is graded to have a maximum depth at the opening to the passage 17.

The upper surface of disc 12 in section 14 has a cylindrical projection 22 positioned concentric to tube 5. A tubular element 23 forms a connection between the tube 5 and the projection 22. The configuration of the lower extremity 24 of the tube 23 is cylindrical and formed to nest within the projection 22, a seal being provided therebetween. The tube 23 includes a central section 25 which conically tapers from its end portion 24 to its cylindrically shaped upper end 26. The end 26 is threadedly engaged about the inner end of the tube 5. An annular flange 27 is formed internally of tube 23, at the junction of portions 25 and 26. The flange 27 forms a limiting abutment for and a seal with the tube 5 as shell section 2 is initially screwed in capping relation to the section 3 by the engagement just described.

A conically formed coil spring 28 seats at one end to the disc 12 within section 24 of tube 23. Its upper end engages the peripheral portion of a valve plate 29 to normally seat it in sealing engagement to the flange 27. The plate 29 thereby forms what may be considered a discharge chamber 30 with the tube 23 and disc 12 and a charge chamber 31 with tube 5. The side of plate 29 presented to chamber 30 is conically dished. The side of plate 29' presented to chamber 31 is conically projected to. terminate in a stem 32 which extends to a point adjacent the cap 7, endingin a knob. configuration. The stem 32 is oriented on the major axis of shell 1.

A central aperture is provided in disc 12, coaxial with passage 17in the bottom of the section 3 and the stem 32, to accommodate. the lower end of a tube forming a. labyrinth 34 in the chamber .30. The tube 34 is coiled aboveits lower end to terminate with an upper end ,coaxial with its lower end and nested in spaced relation to the recessed undersurface of plate 29.

A tubular projection 35 on the upper surface of disc 12 to one side of the projection 22 definesan aperture 36 through a peripheral portion of the disc. A further aperture .37 is provided in disc. 12. adjacent thereto, immediate.- ly within the inner wall of the end 24 of tube23. A projection 38 from the bottom of disc 12 surrounds both apertures 36 and 37 and is capped by a member 39 to provide a well 40. The well 40 provides communication between the chambenSG and a tube 41 which connectsat one end to the projection 35. The tube 41 is formed to curve up and about the tubes 23 and in a spiral form and to project through and open from a discharge aperture in the shell section 2. The tube 41 thus provides a devious discharge passage in communication with chamber 30 through tube 35 and well 40.

The invention embodiment above described provides a unit admirably suited, for example, to automatically dispense fabric softener in a predetermined portion of the operating cycle of an automatic washer. In this application, cap 7 is first removed to introduce a charge of softener to the chamber 31 and then replaced. The normal bias of spring 28 maintains a seal of the plate 29 to flange 27 to prevent the charge from moving thereby to the chamber 30. The dispenser is then placed in the tub of an automatic Washer on top of a load of dirty clothes- As the washing cycle is initiated, the water entering the tub 14 will cause the dispenser to float. The sealed cavity provided in the upper portion of the shell insures its buoyancy and the weight 15 insures an upright orienta- I tion. The shell 1 merely floats and bobs during the agitaing or washing interval since it is conditioned to right angles to the tub wall, with its base adjacent there-.

to. Any water which has entered chamber 13 through passage 17 previously will exit under the influence of this centrifugal force,- facilitated by the grooves 29. As the spin reaches a predetermined speed, centrifugal force overcomes thebias of spring 28, causing valve plate 29 to dis- 'placeinwardlyof chamber 30 The charge of softener 'underthe influence of this same forceand aided by the conical contour of the uppersurface of plate 29, flows 7 into the discharge chamber 36 in a manner believed obvi0us.' The charge remains in chamber 30 throughout a the remainder of the spin portion of the washing cycle.

As spin speed slacks off, the valve 22 seats once more 'to flange 2 7 to seal the charge chamber 31.

Underthe effects of centrifugal force the she ll l will be an a pocket formed in the clothes against the side wall of the tub. When the spin is complete it will either' remain there or fall to the bottom of the tub which is then free of water. In either case, the form of the tubes 23-, '34 and 41 prevents flow of the charge to chamber "13 through tube 34 or from the shell 1 through the tube 41. r i

The next phase of thewashing cycle provides for entrance of rinse water. 7 located at the end of the spin,'when the rinse water rises Irrespective of where the shell is to meet the shell, it will be induced to float in a vertical position as illustrated, the weight 15 being lowermost. -On entrance of the water it is to be kept in mind chamber 13 is filled with air. 'When the shell floats, water enters the passage 17 to displace air through the coiled vent tube 34. This air produces suflicient pressure on the charge in chamber 30 to force it to move through aperture 37, well #0, passage 36 and tube 41 to discharge into the rinse water clear of the clothes.

Capacity of the lower chamber 13 is greater than the capacity of chamber 30, thus assuring a complete emptying of the discharge chamber as air is forced by the pressure of entering water through tube 34. It is to be noted the circuitous path of the tube 41 prevents discharge of the charge of softener except in the optimum vertical position of shell 1. This generally prevents the chance of a direct discharge of the softener on the clothes and (consequent stains or damage of the clothes. 7

The described device is relatively easy to flush on removing cap 7 and depressing the knob on the stem 32. Water remaining in chamber 30 when flushing is finished will be displaced from the shell 1 on introduction to a body of water in a manner as above described. 7

The dispenser thus provided is simple, positive. and effective as to its structure and function. It is conditioned to respond first to an environment producing a physical application of centrifugal force and secondly to application -of a pressure triggered by incoming water to move air under pressure to effect a discharge of the fabric softener. It is believed readily obvious that the conditions to which the dispenser will respond can be altered without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention and would be dependent on its application.

7 FIG. 4' shows a modification of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the inner end of the passage 17 may be capped by a disc 42 havinga central'aperture 43. A valve body 44 confined to move axially in passage 17 includes channels 45 longitudinally .of its. outer periphery. In this instance, if the shell 1 should accidentally find itself upside down at any time, the valve body 44 would slide to close aperture 43 in a manner believed obvious. This would prevent water from flowing to and through the chamber 13 to the chamber 30. Otherwise, aperture 43 and channels 45 pr'ovide for normal function as above described.

FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of a free bodied dispenser in accordance with the invention. In this instance the outer shell 1 'is spherical. It consists of mating hemispherical sections 2' and 3"having a partition plate 56 clamped therebetween. The plate 59 is conically dished to depend inwardly of the lower section 3' and form a charge chamber 31 with the upper sectionfZ'. Tubular projections 51, formed integral with the plate 5%, provide for a telescopic mount of therespective shell sections to either side thereof and' are suitably fixed thereto.

The plate is dished to a central aperture 54. accommodating a valve stem which pr'ojectsfreely therethrough. The end of the stem 55 Within the chamber 31' mounts a sleeve 56 while its end which projects into the shell section 3', below the partition plate 50, mounts a valve element 57. The surface of the valve 57 most .adj-acent the plate 50 is conically tapered. A spring 58 is positioned about stem 55 to respectively abut sleeve 56 and the plate 50 in chamber 31. This spring applies a bias on the stern 55. to normally cause the conical surface of valve 57 to' abut the undersurface of plate 5% and seal the' aperture54 and the charge chamber 31'';thereby. I 7

An integrally connected tube 5' defines a central aperture in the shell section 2'. Its outer end is normally closed by the cap 7 to seal the chamber 312' A shoulder 59 is formed concentric to the aperture 54, spaced below the plateSGand on the inner wall of the shell section 3'. Fixed to the shoulder 59 is the radially projected external flange 69 of a truncated conical shell section 61. The shell section 61 is formed to present a limited opening at its outer end adjacent to the plate 50 and in line with the aperture 5'4. Slots 62 are provided in the shell section 3 immediately above the shoulder 59 and spaced thereabout. Clamped between the flange 66 and the shoulder 59 is the peripheral portion of a slack diaphragm 63. The diaphragm 63 normally depends toward the bottom and center of the shell section 3' to form a receptacle 64 with a section 61 to its top and a chamber 13 to its bottom.

A tube section 16' is formed integral with and defines a central aperture in the shell section 3 to provide a passage 17 to the chamber 13. A Weight 15' is fixed about the tube 16' which determines a normal vertical orientation for the shell 1'.

Let us consider the operation of the device of FIG. 5 in an application similar to that described with reference to the device of FIGS. l3 of the drawings. The housewife can remove cap 7', as before, to introduce a charge of fabric softener, for example, to the chamber 31. When the cap is replaced, shell 1' can be placed on a load or" dirty clothes in the tub of an automatic washer, the charge of softener being sealed in the chamber 31 by the valve 57. As the automatic washing cycle commences, water enters the tub and the inherently buoyant shell 1 floats. Simultaneously, water entering the chamber 13 through the vertically oriented passage 17 applies pressure through air trapped in the chamber to lift the diaphragm to the top of receptacle 64 to clear this receptacle. Water also enters slots 62 about the conically tapered surface of shell section 61. The dispenser merely bobs and does not function during the agitating or wash portion of the washer cycle.

When the spin cycle begins, as in the case of the embodiment first described, the dispenser will follow the clothes to the side of the washer tub, under the influence of centrifugal force, to orient its weight 15 most adjacent the tub wall and its central axis perpendicular thereto. Centrifugal force pulls the water in chamber 13' through passage 17' and the diaphragm 63 towards weight 15. Water also exits through slots 62. As the spin reaches a predetermined speed, the valve stem 55 and connected valve 57 are displaced inwardly of the shell section 3'. As this occurs, the charge in chamber 31' is drawn through the aperture 54 into the aligned receptacle 64, to the cavity defined at this point by the diaphragm 63.

When the spin cycle stops, as in the case of the first embodiment, the shell 1 will either be in a pocket formed by clothes on the side of the tub or fall to a vertically upright position on its bottom. In either case, the softener cannot run out of the receptacle 64.

When rinse water enters the tub, it will eventually pick up the shell 1' and cause it to float. The water will then enter passage 17 to move into chamber 13', apply pressure through an intermediate layer of air in the chamber to force the diaphragm 63 up and cause the diaphragm .to spill the charge in the receptacle over the conical sides of the member 61 and into the rinse water thereabout which entered through slots 62.. It is to be noted that the charge initially mixes with water within the shell section 3 and safely dissipates from the shell 1' in a diluted state without danger of direct contact with clothes before mixing in the rinse water. Agitation of the rinse water caused the diaphragm to pulsate and pump out any softener remaining in the shell. Further, during the spin dry portion of the Washer cycle, the chamber 13' is emptied under the influence of centrifugal force.

As may be readily seen, the last described embodiment is exceedingly simple in structure and positive in function. Both economy and utility are inherent in the structure so provided.

While the embodiments have been described in limited form and application, other forms and applications are inherent therein. The devices may be variously conditioned to dispense various mediums in response to predetermined changes in their physical environment.

rom the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body which is floatable per se in a fluid medium and has at least one outlet, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, means defining a cavity in said shell for receiving the charge from the charge chamber and, valve means providing a closure member which normally separates said charge chamber and cavity, said valve means being conditioned to respond to a predetermined physical environment of the shell to provide for discharge of the charge from said charge chamber to said cavity, said means defining said cavity including means connected for transmitting fluid pressure to physically and positively displace the charge from said cavity and through said outlet.

2. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body which is fioatable per se in a fluid medium and has at least one outlet, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, means defining a cavity in said shell for receiving the charge from the charge chamber, valve means providing a closure member normally separating said charge chamber and said cavity, said valve means being conditioned to respond to a predetermined physical environment of the shell to provide for discharge of the charge from said charge chamber to said cavity and, means defining a fluid pocket in said shell in communication with said cavity for transmitting pressure to positively displace the charge from the cavity on the occurrence of said shell being subjected to a predetermined physical environment.

3. A dispenser comprising a shell constituting a free body which is floatable per se in a fluid medium and includes at least one outlet, means forming a charge chamber in one portion of said shell, means defining a first cavity in an adjacent portion of said shell which communicates with said outlet and is adapted to receive the charge from said charge chamber, valve means normally separating the charge in said chamber from said cavity, said valve means being responsive to a physical change in the environment of said shell to discharge the charge into said cavity, said cavity defining means including a flexible member forming a second cavity in said shell, and an aperture in said shellcommunicating with said second cavity and providing access for application of fluid pressure to said flexible member in a manner to physically displace the charge from said cavity and through said outlet.

4. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body having at least one outlet, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, means defining a cavity in said shell in communicationwith said outlet adapted to receive the charge from said charge chamber, valve means normally separating the charge in said chamber from said cavity, said valve means being responsive to a physical change in the environment of said shell to discharge the charge into said cavity, means defining a fluid pocket in saidshell distinct from said cavity and having an open ing therefrom to the exterior of said shell, said cavity defining means including an element communicating said cavity with said fluid pocket, a predetermined fluid pressure in said pocket enabled by the opening therefrom and influenced 'by a predetermined physical environment of said shell being operative to physically displace the charge from said cavity and through said outlet.

5. A dispensercomprising, a hollow shell constituting a free body which is floatable per se in a fluid medium, means defining a charge chamber in one portion of said shell, means defining another portion of said shell in direct communication with its exterior, and adapted to receive the charge from said charge chamber on said shell being subjected to a predetermined physical environment and pressure transmitting'means included in said receptacle operable for positive displacement of the charge therefrom to the exterior of said receptacle in automatic response to said shell being subjected to a predetermined change in its physical environment.

6. A dispenser comprising, a hollow shell constituting a free body, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, means defining a pocket in said shell adapted to receive a charge from said charge chamber on said shell being subjected to an application of centrifugal force,

said pocket defining means including a flexible diaphragm to pass said shell through said apertures in communication with said pocket.

7. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body having means forming chambers therein rendering it bouyant, said chambers including a charge and a di'scharge chamber, means normally separating said charge and discharge chambers operative under the influence of centrifugal force to pass a charge fromsaid charge to the discharge chamber, means defining a continuously open adelivery; passage extending from said discharge chamber to the exterior of said shell and means for subjecting the charge in said discharge chamber to an application of fluid under pressure to move a charge from said discharge chamber and through said passage to the exterior-of said shell.

8. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body, means defininga charge and a discharge chamber in said shell, a single moving unit in said shell normally separating said chambersmeans defining a circuitous pas sage from the exterior of said shell to said discharge chamber, means defining a second circuitous passagefrom said discharge chamber to the exterior of said shell, a predetermined fluid'pressure in said first mentioned passage operating to eject the charge to said second passage.

9. A dispenser including, a shell constituting a free body, means defining'a charge and a discharge chamber in said. shell, a single moving unit in said shell normally separating said charge and discharge chambers, means defining a circuitous passage from said discharge chamber to the exterior of said shell, said single unit being responconnected to normally seal said partition aperture, means forming a pocket in another portion of said shell having an opening adjacent and in line with said valve means for receiving the charge from said chamber in response to the operation of said valve means under the influence of a predetermined change in the physical environment of said shell, said pocket defining means including a base portion displaceable per se to physically eject the charge from the pocket on said shell being subjected to a predetermined physioal environment, and means defining passages in said shell in communication with said pocket for passage of a charge ejected therefrom to the exterior of said shell. Y

11. A dispenser comprising, a hollow shell constituting a buoyant free body, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, valve means normally sealing said charge chamber, means defining a pocket in said shell opening in line with said valve means, said pocket defining means including a base formed of a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm further defining a chamber in said shell having an opening to the exterior of said shell, means defining discharge passages from said shell in direct communication with said pocket, said diaphragm functioning in response to introduction of said shell in a body of fluid and the entrance of the fluid to the chamber defined by said diaphragm to eject the contents of said pocket through said passages to the exterior of said shell.

12. A dispenser comprising, a hollow shell constituting a free body, means defining a charge chamber in said shell, means defining a dispensing cavity in said shell, valve means normally separating said charge chamber and dispensing cavity operable on said shell being subjected to a predetermined physical environment to provide for passage of the charge from the charge chamber to the dispensing cavity, means defining a circuitous tubular passage projected in said dispensing cavity to one end and in communication with the exterior of said shell to the other end, means defining a second circuitous passage in communication with said dispensing cavity at one end and the exterior of said shell at the other end, the sub jecting of a charge in said dispensing cavity to a pressure communicated through said first circuitous passage being effective to automatically provide a discharge of the charge to the exterior of said shell through said secondcircuitous passage.

13. A dispenser comprising, a hollow shell constituting a free body, means defining a charge chamber in one section of. said shell and a Weight in an opposite section of said shell, means defining a chamber in said opposite sec- V a passage from said shell communicating with said dissive to application of a predetermined centrifugal force to said shell to provide for movement of a charge from the charge to the dischargechamber, means defining a pocket in said shell in communication with said dischargechamberand fluid pressure externally of said shell" for transmitting fluid pressure to displace the charge from the discharge chamber and through said passage on said shellbeing subjected to a predetermined fluid environment.

10. A dispenser comprising, a hollow shell constituting a free body which is fioatable per se in a fluid meduim,

pensing chamber, said valve means being responsive to the applrcation of centrifugal force to said shell to provide for displacement of the charge from said charge chamber to said dispensing chamber, the introduction of said shell' subsequently to a fluid body resulting in the fluid moving 'into said second mentioned chamber to apply pressure through said coiled tube to effect an automatic discharge of the charge from said dispensing chamber to the exterior of said shell. T

' l4. A dispenser comprising, ,a hollow shell constituting a free body, means defining a charge chamber in said shell and a dispensing receptacle in communication therewith, valve means normally separating said 'charge chamber and dispensing receptacle, said valve means being conditioned to respond to a predetermined physical environcommunication with said dispensing receptacle, and said dispensing receptacle including means so connected to physically transmit a displacement pressure to and provide for an automatic discharge of the receptacle contents when the shell is introduced to a fluid body offering a predetermined environment for said shell.

15. A dispenser comprising, a shell constituting a free body which is lloatable per se in a fluid medium, means defining a charge and a discharge chamber in said shell, a single moving unit in said shell arranged to normally separate the chambers, continuously open passage means communicating the exterior of said shell with said discharge chamber and means defining a further continuously open passage from said discharge chamber to the exterior of said shell, a predetermined pressure in said first mentioned passage means operating to eject a charge in said discharge chamber through said further passage.

16. A dispenser comprising a shell constituting a free body which is fioatable per se in a fluid medium, means defining a charge chamber and a discharge receptacle in said shell, a single moving unit arranged to normally separate said chamber and said receptacle, means providing continuous communication between said receptacle and the exterior of said shell for passage of the receptacle contents to the exterior of said shell, said receptacle including means for physically transmitting pressure to the contents thereof whereby to force an ejection of such contents from said shell.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,721 6/23 Wolf 222285 X 2,918,515 12/59 Lawson 136-9O 3,063,598 11/62 Winker 22252 3,095,722 7/63 Fox 222-500 X 3,108,722 10/63 Torongo et at. 222-500 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

LEVINE D. GEIGER, HADD S. LANE, Examiners. 

16. A DISPENSER COMPRISING A SHELL CONSTITUTING A FREE BODY WHICH IS FLOATABLE PER SE IN A FLUID MEDIUM, MEANS DEFINING A CHARGE CHAMBER AND A DISCHARGE RECEPTACLE IN SAID SHELL, A SINGLE MOVING UNIT ARRANGED TO NORMALLY SEPARATE SAID CHAMBER AND SAID RECEPTACLE , MEANS PROVIDING CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID RECEPTACLE AND THE EXTERIOR OF SAID SHELL FOR PASSAGE OF THE RECEPTACLE CONTENTS OF THE EXTERIOR OF SAID SHELL, SAID RECEPTACLE INCLUDING MEANS FOR PHYSICALLY TRANSMITTING PRESSURE TO THE CONTENTS THEREOF WHEREBY TO FORCE AN EJECTION OF SUCH CONTENTS FROM SAID SHELL. 